Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Do I have to include my spouse’s income for income based student loan payments?
In general, whether you must include a spouse’s income for income-based student loan payments depends on the repayment plan, how the loan servicer counts household income, and whether you file taxes jointly or separately...
Can a towing company refuse card payment and keep adding storage fees?
In general, a towing company may be able to set the payment methods it accepts, but that does not automatically mean it can add unlimited storage fees or ignore other legal limits. The answer often depends on the tow con...
Dog sitter lost my dog during a weekend trip. What can I realistically recover?
If a dog sitter lost your dog during a weekend trip, you may be able to recover some of your financial losses, but the amount and type of recovery usually depend on the facts, the contract, and California law. In general...
What are my rights if my bank refuses to reimburse unauthorized ATM withdrawals?
If you are in Kentucky and your bank refuses to reimburse unauthorized ATM withdrawals, your rights usually depend on the facts, your account agreement, and the consumer-protection rules that apply to electronic fund tra...
What are my rights if a hotel overcharges me for minibar items I did not use?
If a hotel in Hawaii charges you for minibar items you did not use, you may have the right to dispute the charge and ask the hotel to correct the bill. In general, hotels should bill guests accurately for items actually...
What happens if my boss secretly recorded our closed-door meeting without telling me?
In California, secretly recording a private or “confidential” conversation can raise serious legal issues. Whether your boss broke the law usually depends on the setting, who was present, whether everyone knew the conver...
Can I qualify for teacher loan forgiveness and PSLF for the same teaching years?
In general, you may be able to have the same teaching years considered for both Teacher Loan Forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), but the rules are not always simple and the programs do not work in exa...
Do I have to get written consent before recording a private call about a car sale?
In Florida, the short answer is usually yes if you want to record a private phone call and the other person does not already know about and agree to the recording. Florida is generally treated as a two-party consent stat...
My boss asked everyone to come in 30 minutes early for “prep” but says we clock in at opening. Is that wage theft?
In Florida, this kind of situation may be wage theft if the “prep” time is work that the employer requires or controls and you are not paid for it. In general, when an employer asks employees to be present before opening...
Can I Press Charges for Fake Evidence and Reputation Damage in Georgia?
In Georgia, the answer usually depends on what happened, who made the fake evidence, and how it was used. In general, a private person does not personally “press charges.” Criminal charges are usually handled by law enfo...
My roommate changed the WiFi password even though I pay half. Is that a legal issue?
In general, a roommate changing the WiFi password can be more of a housing or relationship dispute than a clear legal problem, but it may become a legal issue depending on how the internet service is set up, who is the a...
Is it legal for an insurance company to use a salvage title value even though my car had a clean title?
In general, an insurance company may try to value a vehicle based on what it believes the car would bring in the market after a total loss, but that does not automatically mean it can treat a clean-title car as if it alr...
Can a Business Charge My Card Again After I Disputed the First Charge?
In general, a business may try to charge your card again after you dispute the first charge, but whether it is allowed depends on the facts, the payment method, the business’s policies, and any agreement you made. A seco...
How do I calculate lost wages after missing 12 days of work because of a store injury?
If you missed 12 days of work because of a store injury, lost wages are usually calculated by figuring out what you would have earned during that time if you had been able to work. In general, that can include regular ho...
What are my rights if a contractor leaves hazardous materials on my property?
If a contractor leaves hazardous materials on your property, you may have several possible rights under Alabama law and general contract, property, and tort principles. In general, you may be able to demand that the cont...